The Host

Staff Pick

You may know Stephenie Meyer's name due to her wildly successful young adult vampire series, The Twilight Saga. She takes a break from that with her latest, The Host; touted as her first book for "adults," it's a fun science fiction novel, with just a bit of romance peppered in to keep things interesting. The title refers to alien parasites who invade earth and take over the minds of their human hosts. Meyer should win many new fans with this effort, as well as thrill her current ones. Recommended by Danielle, Powells.com

The Host, Stephenie Meyer's first book for an adult audience, is a fascinating story of love and betrayal set against the backdrop of an alien invasion. In this thought-provoking and captivating novel, in which alien parasites take over human bodies, the reader is privy to the thoughts and emotions of one alien soul, Wanderer, and her human host, Melanie, who fights for control of their shared mind. Though Meyer borrows somewhat from other science fiction works, she creates a unique and believable world and explores the nature of love and the human spirit, all while delivering a darn good yarn. Recommended by Lynn, Powells.com

You may know Stephenie Meyer's name due to her wildly successful young adult vampire series, The Twilight Saga. She takes a break from that with her latest, The Host; touted as her first book for "adults," it's a fun science fiction novel, with just a bit of romance peppered in to keep things interesting. The title refers to alien parasites who invade earth and take over the minds of their human hosts. Meyer should win many new fans with this effort, as well as thrill her current ones. Recommended by Lynn, Powells.com

Synopses & Reviews

Please note that used books may not include additional media (study guides, CDs, DVDs, solutions manuals, etc.) as described in the publisher comments.

Publisher Comments:

The author of the Twilight series of #1 bestsellers delivers her brilliant first novel for adults: a gripping story of love and betrayal in a future with the fate of humanity at stake.

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed.

Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves — Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love.

Featuring what may be the first love triangle involving only two bodies, The Host is a riveting and unforgettable novel that will bring a vast new readership to one of the most compelling writers of our time.

Review:

"In this tantalizing SF thriller, planet-hopping parasites are inserting their silvery centipede selves into human brains, curing cancer, eliminating war and turning Earth into paradise. But some people want Earth back, warts and all, especially Melanie Stryder, who refuses to surrender, even after being captured in Chicago and becoming a host for a 'soul' called Wanderer. Melanie uses her surviving brain cells to persuade Wanderer to help search for her loved ones in the Arizona desert. When the pair find Melanie's brother and her boyfriend in a hidden rebel cell led by her uncle, Wanderer is at first hated. Once the rebels accept Wanderer, whom they dub Wanda, Wanda's whole perspective on humanity changes. While the straightforward narrative is short on detail about the invasion and its stunning aftermath, it shines with romantic intrigue, especially when a love triangle (or quadrangle?!) develops for Wanda/Melanie. 10-city author tour. (May) Editors blend speculative fiction with other genres to create anthologies with broad appeal." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"[The Host] lives up to the hype, blending science fiction and romance in a way that has never worked so well....[A] page-turner....As with her vampire novels, Meyer will make new fans of readers 'who don't read books with aliens.' Highly recommended." Library Journal (Starred Review)

Review:

"A clever premise and competent writing keep this from turning into a pastiche, though after a couple of hundred pages, readers may wish that just one artery would get punctured." Kirkus Reviews

Review:

"The Host is The X-Files meets Days of Our Lives. Despite some sticky-sweet dialogue, Meyer's story and characters will stoke fans of both sci fi and romance." USA Today

Review:

"As in her Twilight series, Meyer is more interested in relationships than in flashy genre conventions....The Host starts rolling again in its last hundred pages and Meyer's affirmative life lesson is disarming. If only the rest of the book had as much soul. (Grade: B)" Entertainment Weekly

Review:

"As a work of science fiction, The Host is a disappointment....This science fiction survivalist romance novel may not be rich enough to satisfy hardcore readers of any of these genres, but its mix of adventure and new love on a new Earth is just right to get lost in this summer." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Review:

"Host has a few good ideas to play with, but Meyer never gives much weight to the horror of the invasion or the philosophical problems of Wanderer's situation....Host is finally undone by its author's inability to write a single believable human character. (Grade: C)" The Onion A.V. Club

Review:

"[A] smooth, highly readable piece of pop-fiction storytelling....[L]arge numbers of grown-ups may well join in with their teenage daughters in becoming immersed in this intelligent summertime page-turner." The Portland Oregonian

Synopsis:

The author of the #1 bestselling Twilight series delivers her brilliant first novel for adults: a gripping story of love and betrayal in a future with the fate of humanity at stake. This may be the first love triangle involving only two bodies.

Synopsis:

The phenomenal #1 bestseller is now a major motion picture: "Startling and addictive. . . . An epic story of love, family, and loyalty." -USA Today

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away.

Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy that takes over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. But Wanderer, the invading "soul" who occupies Melanie's body, finds its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

As Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she's never met. Soon Wanderer and Melanie-reluctant allies-set off to search for the man they both love.

Featuring one of the most unusual love triangles in literature, THE HOSTis a riveting and unforgettable audiobook about the persistence of love and the essence of what it means to be human.

THE HOST movie opens in theaters on March 29, 2013.

Synopsis:

Now in the trade paperback edition:

New Bonus Chapter and Reading Group Guide, including Stephenie Meyer's Annotated Playlist for the book.

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, didn't expect to find its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

As Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who still lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she's never met. Reluctant allies, Wanderer and Melanie set off to search for the man they both love.

Featuring one of the most unusual love triangles in literature, THE HOSTis a riveting and unforgettable novel about the persistence of love and the essence of what it means to be human.

Video

About the Author

Stephenie Meyer graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in English literature. After the publication of her debut novel Twilight, booksellers chose her as one of the "most promising new authors of 2005" (Publishers Weekly). She lives with her husband and three young sons in Arizona.

What Our Readers Are Saying

Average customer rating based on 31 comments:

Booklion12, September 30, 2014 (view all comments by Booklion12)
Don't let the name Stephenie Meyer chase you away. This is a book I have reread many MANY times. This book is fantastic and it is very close to my heart. I highly HIGHLY recommend.

Sarah Rose, September 4, 2013 (view all comments by Sarah Rose)
In this unique story, a girl is sucked into a love square with half the members sharing her body. A romantic thrill of twists and turns with danger at every turn. A great book to be recommended to everyone.

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)

jandycox, January 25, 2013 (view all comments by jandycox)
The Host was a journey for me. Every step was amazing. I found my self not thinking about the real world anymore. It is a absolute page turner I couldn't put it down. Every action scene and love scene left me wanting more. This is truly a fantastic book. It is a must read. You will find your self constantly thinking about this complex world Stephenie Meyer has created.

You may know Stephenie Meyer's name due to her wildly successful young adult vampire series, The Twilight Saga. She takes a break from that with her latest, The Host; touted as her first book for "adults," it's a fun science fiction novel, with just a bit of romance peppered in to keep things interesting. The title refers to alien parasites who invade earth and take over the minds of their human hosts. Meyer should win many new fans with this effort, as well as thrill her current ones.

by Danielle

"Staff Pick"
by Lynn,

The Host, Stephenie Meyer's first book for an adult audience, is a fascinating story of love and betrayal set against the backdrop of an alien invasion. In this thought-provoking and captivating novel, in which alien parasites take over human bodies, the reader is privy to the thoughts and emotions of one alien soul, Wanderer, and her human host, Melanie, who fights for control of their shared mind. Though Meyer borrows somewhat from other science fiction works, she creates a unique and believable world and explores the nature of love and the human spirit, all while delivering a darn good yarn.

by Lynn

"Staff Pick"
by Lynn,

You may know Stephenie Meyer's name due to her wildly successful young adult vampire series, The Twilight Saga. She takes a break from that with her latest, The Host; touted as her first book for "adults," it's a fun science fiction novel, with just a bit of romance peppered in to keep things interesting. The title refers to alien parasites who invade earth and take over the minds of their human hosts. Meyer should win many new fans with this effort, as well as thrill her current ones.

by Lynn

"Publishers Weekly Review"
by Publishers Weekly,
"In this tantalizing SF thriller, planet-hopping parasites are inserting their silvery centipede selves into human brains, curing cancer, eliminating war and turning Earth into paradise. But some people want Earth back, warts and all, especially Melanie Stryder, who refuses to surrender, even after being captured in Chicago and becoming a host for a 'soul' called Wanderer. Melanie uses her surviving brain cells to persuade Wanderer to help search for her loved ones in the Arizona desert. When the pair find Melanie's brother and her boyfriend in a hidden rebel cell led by her uncle, Wanderer is at first hated. Once the rebels accept Wanderer, whom they dub Wanda, Wanda's whole perspective on humanity changes. While the straightforward narrative is short on detail about the invasion and its stunning aftermath, it shines with romantic intrigue, especially when a love triangle (or quadrangle?!) develops for Wanda/Melanie. 10-city author tour. (May) Editors blend speculative fiction with other genres to create anthologies with broad appeal." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"Review"
by Library Journal (Starred Review),
"[The Host] lives up to the hype, blending science fiction and romance in a way that has never worked so well....[A] page-turner....As with her vampire novels, Meyer will make new fans of readers 'who don't read books with aliens.' Highly recommended."

"Review"
by Kirkus Reviews,
"A clever premise and competent writing keep this from turning into a pastiche, though after a couple of hundred pages, readers may wish that just one artery would get punctured."

"Review"
by USA Today,
"The Host is The X-Files meets Days of Our Lives. Despite some sticky-sweet dialogue, Meyer's story and characters will stoke fans of both sci fi and romance."

"Review"
by Entertainment Weekly,
"As in her Twilight series, Meyer is more interested in relationships than in flashy genre conventions....The Host starts rolling again in its last hundred pages and Meyer's affirmative life lesson is disarming. If only the rest of the book had as much soul. (Grade: B)"

"Review"
by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,
"As a work of science fiction, The Host is a disappointment....This science fiction survivalist romance novel may not be rich enough to satisfy hardcore readers of any of these genres, but its mix of adventure and new love on a new Earth is just right to get lost in this summer."

"Review"
by The Onion A.V. Club,
"Host has a few good ideas to play with, but Meyer never gives much weight to the horror of the invasion or the philosophical problems of Wanderer's situation....Host is finally undone by its author's inability to write a single believable human character. (Grade: C)"

"Review"
by The Portland Oregonian,
"[A] smooth, highly readable piece of pop-fiction storytelling....[L]arge numbers of grown-ups may well join in with their teenage daughters in becoming immersed in this intelligent summertime page-turner."

"Synopsis"
by Ingram,
The author of the #1 bestselling Twilight series delivers her brilliant first novel for adults: a gripping story of love and betrayal in a future with the fate of humanity at stake. This may be the first love triangle involving only two bodies.

"Synopsis"
by TimeWarner,
The phenomenal #1 bestseller is now a major motion picture: "Startling and addictive. . . . An epic story of love, family, and loyalty." -USA Today

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away.

Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy that takes over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. But Wanderer, the invading "soul" who occupies Melanie's body, finds its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

As Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she's never met. Soon Wanderer and Melanie-reluctant allies-set off to search for the man they both love.

Featuring one of the most unusual love triangles in literature, THE HOSTis a riveting and unforgettable audiobook about the persistence of love and the essence of what it means to be human.

THE HOST movie opens in theaters on March 29, 2013.

"Synopsis"
by TimeWarner,
Now in the trade paperback edition:

New Bonus Chapter and Reading Group Guide, including Stephenie Meyer's Annotated Playlist for the book.

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, didn't expect to find its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

As Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who still lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she's never met. Reluctant allies, Wanderer and Melanie set off to search for the man they both love.

Featuring one of the most unusual love triangles in literature, THE HOSTis a riveting and unforgettable novel about the persistence of love and the essence of what it means to be human.

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